Fly Tipping Levellers Court Site - Action Required
The fly tipping that has taken place at Putney Park Lane is by no means an isolated incident in Putney. If you pass through the archway next to Brewers Decorators on Putney Bridge Road you will encounter a large courtyard that has become so well known for fly tipping that people now come to see what they can forage! Greeted by overflowing skips, plastic bags full of rubbish that have been ravaged by foxes as well as rats that infest this site, furniture including sofa’s, empty oil cans and any amount of urban detritus festoon the area. Until recently there was also a selection of garden rubbish that blocked Boots emergency fire exit. Advised that this must be removed, Boots accordingly employed a private firm to clear the said garden rubbish.You might wonder why the landlords of the site have shown so little responsibility and been allowed to let the it deteriorate to this extent. When I wrote to Positively Putney about the possibility of official action Nicola Grant replied, ‘…Regarding the rubbish in the yard – it is very complicated as has one official owner but then a secondary landlord (to corner site) has 24 hour access. It was this that complicated the planning applications for both sites. I will pass on your comments to the landlords of Levellers Court – the corner landlord does not correspond with us. Last time I spoke with Levellers Court landlord they were hopeful with Brexit more settled that they would raise the necessary finance to start building the development. Sadly, I think that will now be some time away and therefore will encourage them to gate it.’Cllr Mike Ryder sent a message of one sentence that supported Ms Grant’s brief summary which he a ‘comprehensive reply’.No positive solution in sight according to these missives then… When I discussed the matter with a manager at Boots he said that he wished to see the site fully cleared. A member of staff in the newsagents on Putney Bridge Road agreed, adding that he had asked the landlord on many occasions for a gate at the entrance to the site to help deter fly tippers.Even given the difficulties of the present crisis this situation should not be treated with resignation and/or acceptance. Wandsworth Council whose members are elected to serve the community and Positively Putney who support retailers to work together to resolve this environmental disgrace in our midst. A strong proactive stance is needed to deal with fly tipping as an urgent health and safety hazard and in this case a highly unpleasant issue on the doorstep of local retailers. Fly tipping must not be tolerated and for these reasons the landlord should be ordered to clear the area forthwith and erect a sliding gate that would deter people from using the site as a dump.
Miles Thompson ● 2161d9 Comments